Abstract: A conductivity sensor for measuring conductivity of a medium surrounding the conductivity sensor, including: a first toroidal coil, which surrounds a first traversing opening for accommodating the medium and which serves for inducing an electrical current in the medium, a second toroidal coil, which surrounds a second traversing opening for accommodating the medium and which serves for registering a magnetic field produced by the induced electrical current. At least one of the toroidal coils has a plurality of first conductor sections, which extend in a plane of a multi-ply circuit card, a plurality of second conductor sections, which extend in a second plane of the circuit card, and a plurality of first vias, which connect the first conductor sections with the second conductor sections.

Abstract: A device comprises a plurality of strips intersecting each other to form a plurality of intersecting regions. A pair of strips intersecting on an intersecting region contact to each other on a contact point to form a depressed intersecting region. The erroneously determined intersecting regions can be detected by comparing the contact points with the corresponding intersecting regions so as to provide the only correct contact points.

Abstract: A method and the device for position detection are disclosed. The device comprises a plurality of strips intersecting each other to form a plurality of intersecting regions. A pair of depressed strips intersecting on an intersecting region contact to each other on a contact point to form a depressed intersecting region, wherein the contact impedance of the contact point is determined according to the position of the contact point and the voltages on the contact point of one and the other of the pair depressed strips.

Abstract: A method and the device for palm ignoring disclosed. The device comprises a plurality of strips intersecting each other to form a plurality of intersecting regions. A pair of strips intersecting on an intersecting region contact to each other on a contact point to form a depressed intersecting region. The depression depressed by the palm can be determined by comparing the total impedance of the depression with a threshold so as to be ignored.

Abstract: A method and the device for position detection are disclosed. The device comprises a plurality of strips intersecting each other to form a plurality of intersecting regions. A pair of depressed strips intersecting on an intersecting region contact to each other to form a depressed intersecting region. According to the depressed intersecting regions, each depression can be determined. The total contact impedance of a depressing crossover a plurality of intersecting regions is the parallel contact impedance of the contact impedances of all intersecting regions corresponding to the same depression.

Abstract: A touch-sensitive sensor arrangement includes a planar-shaped element having a surface provided with a conductive layer, and a plurality of connecting points that are each arranged in an edge area of the element and contacting the conductive layer, wherein a respective decoupling device is arranged for decoupling a current, which is applied to at least two connecting points, from an evaluating signal, between each of the respective connecting points and associated connecting lines for the evaluation of a position of a contact of the element with a contacting object, where the element is heatable by the current.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for monitoring galvanic isolation of a fuel cell device. At least one stack of fuel cells and at least one load circuit for fuel cells are arranged to an electrically freely floating configuration towards at least one structure near fuel cells. A controlled switching is performed via at least two switching points to at least one measurement element having known impedance in connection to the at least one structure. Measurements are performed from the measurement element to form voltage information. The voltage information and at least voltage information between switching points are processed to check floatages of fuel cells in relation to said at least one structure.

Abstract: A circuit constant analysis method for an equivalent circuit of an inductance element includes determining values of various elements constituting the equivalent circuit from measured values of select electrical characteristics of the actual inductance element. The equivalent circuit includes: a parallel circuit connecting in parallel an inductance Ls, a capacitance Cp, and a resistance Rp; a capacitance Cr connected in series to said resistance Rp; an inductance Lr connected in parallel to said resistance Rp; a resistance Rs connected in series to said parallel circuit; a plurality of closed circuits including a resistance Rmi and an inductance Lmi magnetically coupled with a coupling coefficient ki by a mutual inductance Mi to said inductance Ls; and a resistance Rc connected in series to said capacitance Cp.

Abstract: A resistive structure has an improved electric field profile deposited on the surface of a cylindrical insulating substrate. At least one resistive path or trace is provided with a helix-looking shape and is directly printed on the surface of the insulating substrate. A resistive voltage divider includes first and second resistors electrically connected in series, where each resistor is made of one or more traces of electrically resistive film material applied onto a cylindrical insulating substrate. At least one of the traces is shaped like a helix and is applied onto the substrate by direct printing.

Abstract: A touch panel with single plate includes a plate and a sensing circuit structure. The plate is used as a cover. The sensing circuit structure includes a transparent conductive layer. The transparent conductive layer has a plurality of first transparent conductive portions and a plurality of second transparent conductive portions. The first transparent conductive portions are substantially disposed on the plate along with a first axis. The second transparent conductive portions are substantially disposed on the plate along with a second axis.

Abstract: Properties of a multiphase mixture flow are measured in a blind-tee. The measured properties include the permittivity and/or the conductivity of the multiphase mixture flowing through a conduit. The permittivity and/or conductivity are measured at liquid-rich region(s) in a blind-tee section of the conduit and are used to determine properties of a liquid phase of the multiphase fluid flow, including one of the water conductivity, water in liquid ratio and water volume fraction. One or more electromagnetic sensors may be used in the blind-tee to measure the permittivity and/or conductivity. The sensors may be in contact with the multiphase flow or be disposed behind a dielectric window.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method for monitoring the voltage on electrical storage units, to a battery and to a motor vehicle having such a battery that are configured to be used particularly for improved establishment of overvoltages and/or undervoltages on modules of the electrical storage unit. To this end, a method for monitoring the voltage on at least one electrical storage unit includes extracting an idle voltage U_OCV on the at least one electrical storage unit from a voltage U_measured that is measured on the at least one electrical storage unit.

Abstract: An apparatus to infer the resistivity of an electrode by stimulating the electrode with a capacitively coupled signal, and processing the resultant signal with circuitry that produces a signal having an amplitude that is a function of the resistivity of the electrode.

Abstract: A system for measuring leakage resistance between a high voltage (HV) system of a vehicle and a vehicle chassis includes an emulated inductance that is connected between the HV system and the vehicle chassis and that has an inductive reactance that substantially cancels a capacitive reactance between the HV system and the vehicle chassis. A signal source outputs one of an AC current signal and an AC voltage signal between the HV system and the vehicle chassis. A sensor measures one of an AC current response to the AC voltage signal between the HV system and the vehicle chassis and an AC voltage response to the AC current signal between the HV system and the vehicle chassis.

Abstract: A joint terminal 10 can be retained, at one housing end part 31 where the joint terminal 10 is to be accommodated, between a completely latched position where tab pieces 11 come into a regular fitted state or become conductively connectable to female terminal fittings 20 inserted in respective terminal accommodation chambers 34, and a tentatively latched position that is shallower than the completely latched position and where the tab pieces 11 are conductively connectable solely to the female terminal fittings 20 inserted up to a specified position in each of the terminal accommodation chambers 34.

Abstract: In an aspect, a pinch sensor is provided, comprising: an elongate non-conductive casing enclosing first, second, and third elongate conductive electrodes; the first and second electrodes being separated by a portion of the casing, a capacitance between the first and second electrodes changing when an obstacle approaches the first electrode to provide a proximity indication of the obstacle to the pinch sensor; and, the second and third electrodes being separated by an air gap formed in the casing, a resistance between the second and third electrodes changing when the second and third electrodes come into contact upon compression of the casing by the obstacle to provide a contact indication of the obstacle with the pinch sensor.

Abstract: System force-deformation measuring apparatuses (e.g., an apparatus that applies a quasi-static force), such as those, for example, configured to generate data (e.g., non-generic or accident-specific data) that assists in the reconstruction of vehicle collisions.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for electrochemical fluid analysis comprises a chamber (1202) having a depth dimension for accommodating a volume of a fluid under test, first and second electrodes (A1) disposed within the chamber and extending along the depth dimension in spaced relation with each other, and a soluble solid, such as an annealed polymer, e.g. EUDRAGIT occupying a lateral gap between the first and second electrodes. The rate of dissolution as monitored by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) of the soluble solid within the fluid depends on the chemical concentration of a corresponding analyte present in solution in the fluid. In one embodiment a silicon-based integrated circuit device defining an upper margin includes an array of electrodes disposed along said upper margin to permit direct exposure of the electrode array to the fluid under test. The device is constructed using CMOS technology.

Abstract: A method and the device for position detection are disclosed. The device comprises a plurality of strips intersecting each other to form a plurality of intersecting regions. A pair of depressed strips intersecting on an intersecting region contact to each other on a contact point to form a depressed intersecting region, wherein the contact impedance of the contact point is determined according to the position of the depressed intersecting region and the voltages on the contact point of one and the other of the pair depressed strips.

Abstract: Determining an electrical property of a formation fluid. At least some of the illustrative embodiments are methods comprising drawing formation fluids into a tool within a borehole, applying a swept frequency electric field to the formation fluids by way of a first winding, inducing a current flow in a second winding based on the swept frequency electric field, and determining a property of the formation fluids based, at least in part, on the current flow in the second winding.

Abstract: A resistance measuring apparatus which includes a variable voltage source, a signal display circuit, a bridge consisting of a first standard resistor, a second standard resistor, an adjustable resistor and the unknown resistor, a bridge balance display circuit and a dynamic voltage display circuit alternatively connected within the bridge. The resistance measuring apparatus is adapted to measure static resistance and dynamic resistance variation of an unknown resistor in the case of external environment having changed dramatically.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing a fabric pressure sensor comprises cutting a sensing fabric to a pre-determined size, connecting a flexible electric wire with a wire of the sensing fabric by sewing, fixing the sensing fabric by means of a clamping positioner at a pre-determined tension, bonding a lower conversion layer with the sensing fabric by means of a lower conversion layer positioning box, bonding an adjustable column with the sensing fabric by means of an upper conversion layer positioning box, and bonding the upper conversion layer with the adjustable column by means of the upper conversion layer positioning box. A tool for manufacturing the sensor comprises an electrical property measuring device, a wire connecting tool, and a sensor structural component assembling tool. The present invention provides an easy and convenient way of manufacturing a fabric pressure sensor, monitoring the quality of manufacture, and enhancing the manufacturing precision and product yield.

Abstract: This method is applied to a dual-use jack of an electronic device. Either a headphone plug or a line output plug is inserted into the dual-use jack. The method determines the type of a plug connected to the dual-use jack when the plug is inserted into the dual-use jack. The determination is made based on a load resistance of the plug connected to the jack. The method includes feeding an electric current through the load resistance in a first direction. The method compares a voltage across the load resistance to a reference voltage and determines the type of the plug in use. The method also includes feeding an electric current through the load resistance in a second direction. This electric current can reduce or eliminate a pop-noise when the plug type is determined. The second direction is different from the first direction.

Abstract: A DC power supply insulation fault detection circuit includes a plurality of circuit breaking elements located at a positive terminal and a negative terminal of each circuit in a power supply system, at least one leakage current detector located in the circuit, and at least one positive voltage transient compensator and at least one negative voltage transient compensator respectively bridging the positive terminal and negative terminal of the power supply system. The positive and negative voltage transient compensators respectively include a charge/discharge circuit to allow an energy storage circuit to be charged. When grounding insulation deterioration takes place at the positive or negative terminal of the leakage current detector, a leakage current loop is formed so that energy storage elements discharge and the leakage current detector detects current variations on the positive and negative terminals, and issue an alarm signal or control cutoff of the circuit breaking elements.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention include circuits and methods for sensing resistance. In one embodiment, a current is generated into a node. The node is coupled to a first terminal of a resistor. A second terminal of the resistor is coupled in series with a capacitance and a reference voltage. The current is turned off when a voltage on the node meets a threshold. A second voltage is detected on the node after the current is turned off. A resistance value is determined based on the first voltage on the node and the second voltage on the node. In one embodiment, the resistor is external to an integrated circuit and sensed through a single pin of the integrated circuit. The integrated circuit may include a current source, comparator, and a digital-to-analog converter.

Abstract: A system for providing power to a powered device over a communication cable has a cable resistance measuring mechanism that determines values of response signals detected in response to supplying each of at least three reference signals over the communication cable, and determines the resistance of a pair of wires in the cable based on these values. The cable resistance measuring mechanism may be configured for determining resistance of an Ethernet cable that delivers power to the powered device in a Power over Ethernet system.

Abstract: A method for determining a heating characteristic of a glow plug, wherein pulse-width-modulated voltage pulses are applied to the glow plug and an electric variable is measured repeatedly during a voltage pulse with the heating characteristic of the glow plug determined by evaluating the difference of successive measurement results of this variable.

Abstract: A sensor, a system of direct measurement using that sensor, and a method of direct and simultaneous measurement of conductivity and dielectric constant of a fluid, particularly high impedance, hydrocarbon-based fluids. The sensor has a cell that holds the fluids to be measured between a single pair of coaxial, bare metal electrodes connected through interface circuitry to measurement circuitry preferably implemented in one or several IC's. The sensor has a mutually compatible electrode geometry that provides both the correct cell constant for measurement of conductivity of hydrocarbons fluids (typical range 0-100,000 pS/cm), and a bulk capacitance (for use in dielectric constant measurement) in the range of measure of readily available low cost commercial IC's (having a typical capacitance measurement span of <10 pF, with a total bulk capacitance at the chip of <20 pF).

Abstract: The disclosed invention provides a structure and method for easily measuring capacitive and/or resistive components of a sensor system. In one embodiment, the structure comprises a signal generator configured to output a load current to a measurement element containing measurement sensor elements and a parasitic capacitance. A controllable excitation voltage is generated, via integration of the load current on the parasitic capacitance, and output to the measurement sensor elements having capacitive and resistive components. The controlled voltage through the measurement device may be manipulated to cause the capacitive and resistive components to exhibit a transient effect. The resulting output current, provided from the measurement device therefore has transient response characteristics (e.g., the settling time, amplitude) that can be selectively measured by a measurement circuit to easily determine values of the capacitive and resistive measurement elements.

Abstract: A device for detecting and/or quantifying organophosphorus compounds, including an electrical device including a source electrode and a drain electrode separated by a semiconductive material, characterized in that at least one receptor molecule, including a group R and a primary alcohol in spatial proximity to a tertiary amine, with which the primary alcohol is capable of reacting in the presence of an organophosphorus compound, is grafted, by the group R, onto one of the electrodes or onto the semiconductive material, and a device for detecting the variation in positive charges between the two electrodes.

Abstract: A method of halogen gas monitoring includes contacting room air to be monitored with a halogen sensor including a cobalt or cobalt alloy layer. The halogen sensor exhibits a detectable change in at least one property upon contact with a halogen gas. A measurement from the halogen sensor is obtained after the contacting. The presence of the halogen gas is monitored based on the measurement.

Abstract: A quality control process for determining the concentrations of boron and phosphorous in a UMG-Si feedstock batch is provided. A silicon test ingot is formed by the directional solidification of molten UMG-Si from a UMG-Si feedstock batch. The resistivity of the silicon test ingot is measured from top to bottom. Then, the resistivity profile of the silicon test ingot is mapped. From the resistivity profile of the silicon test ingot, the concentrations of boron and phosphorous of the UMG-Si silicon feedstock batch are calculated. Additionally, multiple test ingots may be grown simultaneously, with each test ingot corresponding to a UMG-Si feedstock batch, in a multi-crucible crystal grower.

Abstract: Provided is a touch panel sensor which has excellent durability particularly in a longitudinal direction as in the case in which an indentation load is imposed, rarely undergoes the increase in electrical resistivity which may be caused by the disconnection of a wire or as elapse of time, has high reliability and high glossiness, and also has an excellent color-displaying capability. This touch panel sensor comprises a transparent conductive film and a wiring that is connected to the transparent conductive film, wherein the wiring comprises a refractory metal film, an Al alloy film and a high-melting-point metal film in this order when observed from the side of a substrate, and wherein the Al alloy film contains a rare earth element in an amount of 0.05-5 atomic %. It is preferred for the touch panel sensor that the hardness is 2-3.5 GPa and the density of grain boundary triple junctions in the Al alloy structure is 2×108 /mm2 or more.

Abstract: A fuel cell system includes a fuel cell, an impedance measuring instrument, and a control device. The control device is connected to the impedance measuring instrument. The impedance measuring instrument measures the impedance of the fuel cell according to the AC impedance method. The control device stores in advance a reference value corresponding to a reference hydrogen concentration. The control device compares the real part Z? of impedance acquired via the impedance measuring instrument against the reference value. When Z? is equal to or greater than the reference value, the control device estimates the hydrogen concentration of the fuel cell to be equal to or less than the reference hydrogen concentration.

Abstract: A load detection technique for a load comprising multiple frequency-dependant sub-loads comprises measuring a representation of the impedance characteristic of the load; providing stored representations of a multiplicity of impedance characteristics of the load; each one of the stored representations represents the impedance of the load when at least a particular one of the sub-loads is in a fault condition; and comparing the measured representation of the current impedance characteristic of the load with each one of the stored representations and in case that the measured representation matches a stored representation, identifying the sub-load or sub-loads being in a fault condition by the corresponding stored representation.

Abstract: A method and the device for position detection are disclosed. The device comprises a plurality of strips intersecting each other to form a plurality of intersecting regions. A pair of depressed strips intersecting on an intersecting region contact to each other on a contact point to form a depressed intersecting region. According to the voltages of each strip before and after the strip is depressed, an error ratio can be determined. Based on the error ration, the position error caused by the contact impedance crossover strips can be corrected.

Abstract: A method of measuring the permittivity and/or conductivity of a multiphase fluid flowing through a conduit is provided. The method includes the steps of measuring the signal from a first electromagnetic transmitter to a first electromagnetic receiver separated by a first distance, measuring the signal from the first electromagnetic transmitter to a second electromagnetic receiver separated by a second distance, measuring the signal from a second electromagnetic transmitter to the first electromagnetic receiver separated by a distance substantially equal to the second distance, measuring the signal from the second electromagnetic transmitter to the second electromagnetic receiver separated by a distance substantially equal to the first distance, and wherein the first and second distances are substantially different.

Abstract: A method and the device for position detection are disclosed. The device comprises a plurality of conductive strips intersecting each other to form a plurality of intersecting regions. A pair of depressed strips intersecting on any intersecting region contact each other to form a depressed intersecting region. When a high voltage and a low voltage are separately provided to the first ends of each pair of overlapping strips, the voltages at the second ends of each pair of overlapping strips are detected so as to determine each depressed intersecting regions.

Abstract: A displacement measuring cell may be used to measure linear and/or angular displacement. The displacement measuring cell may include movable and stationary electrodes in a conductive fluid. Electrical property measurements may be used to determine how far the movable electrode has moved relative to the stationary electrode. The displacement measuring cell may include pistons and/or flexible walls. The displacement measuring cell may be used in a touch-sensitive robotic gripper. The touch-sensitive robotic gripper may include a plurality of displacement measuring cells mechanically in series and/or parallel. The touch-sensitive robotic gripper may be include a processor and/or memory configured to identify objects based on displacement measurements and/or other measurements. The processor may determine how to manipulate the object based on its identity.

Abstract: Method and device for measuring the content of a fluid flow, the fluid containing a combination of at least two of gas, oil and/or water. The method comprising the steps of:—repeatedly measuring the electrical properties of a cross section of the fluid and detecting time sequences identified by low gas content, especially characterized in that a gas bubble is not present,—in said periods of low gas content measuring the density of the fluid in the flow, wherein the density measurements are performed in at least one period of low gas content and the a fluid density is calculated based on the measured densities over said period or periods.

Abstract: A system and method for transducer placement in soft-field tomography are provided. One system includes a plurality of transducers configured for positioning at a surface of an object in a non-soft-field tomography configuration. The system also includes an interface and a processor communicating with the plurality of transducers via the interface. The processor is configured to perform soft-field sensing using soft-field data acquired by the plurality of transducers.

Abstract: Disclosed is a movement sensor that comprises a plurality of plate-type layers on which individual sensors are arranged. The layers are configured in the way set forth in the claims.

Abstract: A method and circuit for determining a circuit element parameter in a ground fault circuit interrupter circuit. An electrical signal provided to a first node is used to generate another electrical signal at a second node. The electrical signal at the second node is multiplexed with a modulation signal to generate a modulated signal that is then filtered and converted into a digital representation of a portion of the circuit element parameter. The electrical signal at the second node is multiplexed with the modulation signal after it has been phase shifted to produce a modulated signal that is filter and converted into a digital representation of another portion of the circuit element parameter. In another aspect, a slope based solenoid self-test method is used for self-testing in a GFCI circuit. Alternatively, a method for determining a wiring fault is provided using a digital filter.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a system that monitors the condition of hydraulic systems for an aircraft or for other applications and, more particularly, to a system and method for detecting leakage within the hydraulic system aboard an aircraft. Such system is detecting hydraulic liquids by extended sensors based on the collapse of percolation conductivity (COPC) which sensors are covering an area in the aircraft.

Abstract: Disposable, pre-sterilized, and pre-calibrated, pre-validated conductivity sensors are provided. These sensors are designed to store sensor-specific information, such as calibration and production information, in a non-volatile memory chip on the sensor on in a barcode printed on the sensor. The sensors are calibrated using 0.100 molar potassium chloride (KCl) solutions at 25 degrees Celsius. These sensors may be utilize with in-line systems, closed fluid circuits, bioprocessing systems, or systems which require an aseptic environment while avoiding or reducing cleaning procedures and quality assurance variances.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method of evaluating electric joints includes: partially separating a terminal portion from a busbar portion of a joint formed between a battery cell terminal and an interconnector busbar; and measuring electric resistance between the terminal portion and the busbar portion. In another embodiment, the step of measuring includes connecting the terminal portion of the joint to a first clip of a first polarity and connecting the busbar portion of the joint to a second clip of an opposing polarity.

Abstract: A seating sensing device embedded in a seat includes: a variable resistance unit generating resistance values corresponding to the circumference of the seat through a plurality of conductive threads installed in the seat; and a signal analysis unit analyzing variable quantities of the resistance values to acquire activity information on one or more of whether a user is seated or not, a seating posture, and a seating posture change.

Abstract: A resistive pinch sensor utilizing electrically conductive wires encapsulated in a resiliently deformable casing. A pinch is detected when one of the wires, which is normally separated by an air gap within the casing, contacts another wire lowering the electrical resistance therebetween. The described pinch sensors have wide activation ranges or angles. Tri-lobed designs provide wide activation range by incorporating at least three electrically-conductive conduits that are substantially equidistantly spaced circumferentially along the inner wall of a tubular casing. One of the conduits, or optionally an axially arranged electrically-conductive core may function as the reference element. Coaxial designs provide wide activation range by incorporating a central electrically-conductive core and a coaxial electrically-conductive tubular outer sheath that are normally spaced apart by at least one non-conductive spacer.

Abstract: A compact sensor with which particles floating in the air can be easily detected. A sensor having a microstructure which detects a detection object by contact is used. A microstructure has an opening to be a detection hole corresponding to the size of a detection object, and a pair of electrodes having a bridge structure are provided thereabove or thereunder so as to partially contact with each other.

Abstract: A device for detecting and quantifying a force applied on a surface comprising a test specimen, an electrically insulating substrate, a first electrode bound to the substrate, a second electrode, an assembly of conductive or semi-conductive nanoparticles in contact with the two electrodes, and a measurement device. The measurement device provides proportional information with respect to an electrical property of the nanoparticles assembly. The electrical property is measured between the first and second electrode. The test specimen is the nanoparticles assembly itself and the electrical property is sensitive to the distance between the nanoparticles of the assembly. The invention uses the nanoparticles assembly itself as a test specimen and allows a force to be quantified even if the nanoparticles assembly is deposited on a rigid substrate.